New Development Plans Worry Some Residents

November 15, 1996|By Annemarie Mannion.

WILLOWBROOK — Despite neighbors' complaints, a village committee that is seeking to develop a town center at Illinois Highway 83 and Plainfield Road would not rule out an entertainment center as a possible use.

"I think we owe it to ourselves to take a look at that," said John Butler, a member of the Economic Development Committee, which met Tuesday night.

John Fay, community development director, said the village wants to develop a retail area that would have a town center motif.

About 35 people who live near the site said they feared a multiplex cinema would be part of an entertainment center.

"This is what we're against. We don't want traffic, noise and all the commotion," one resident said.

The committee is considering other options for development of the 28-acre property that is designated as a tax increment financing district. The land belongs to four property owners.

The other options include a store of about 100,000 square feet, a used-car center and a shopping center with one anchor tenant and smaller stores.

Fay said the committee will recommend a development plan to the Village Board early next year.